Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Photo: Courtesy West Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church

By Pastor Lee Ann
Dunlap

You just never know when disaster will strike.

In late
June of this year, what is best described as a “freight train of storms”
stacked up in the mountains of West Virginia, unleashing the proverbial “thousand-year
flood.” Eight or more inches of rain in
twenty-four hours washed down the hills and gullies into small creeks, bigger
channels and larger rivers. Homes, businesses and twenty five people were swept
away, along with innumerable hopes and dreams.
The picture on the right, from a street in White Sulphur Springs, shows
a fraction of the destruction—one person’s home swept into another, with only
rubble remaining.

In early August I had the privilege of trekking with a Volunteer
In Mission team into one of southern West Virginia counties hardest
hit. For three days we traipsed among
the streets of Rainelle and White Sulphur Springs, listened to the sad and
wonderful stories of both rescue and loss, and tried to offer a bit of help and
hope to people struggling to rebuild their lives, their homes, their community
and their sense of security.

Of the twenty-five lives swept away that June evening
fourteen were from White Sulphur Springs.
We heard their stories multiple times from multiple people— from
neighbors and friends, from family members, from other volunteers. We heard of heroic rescues, inspiring deeds
of compassion and even a few comic observations from those who survived to tell
the tales. At the time I wondered what would happen if my community lost dozens
of homes along with fifteen friends and neighbors in a single night. How would we cope? In much the same way as they, I suspect.

Despite the physical, emotional and spiritual devastation
of these communities I was deeply impressed by the strength these survivors
found from their faith in God, and the mutual support of community – and yes,
even some help from the governments (although FEMA and EPA got mixed
reviews!). We had lunch one day with a
lively octogenarian volunteer at the relief center who had for weeks been
assisting in the daily feeding and care of others. Afterward we left for a “spiritual
care” visitation assignment. At the
assigned address, we could see where the flood waters had peaked, well above
porch level, and the downstairs rooms were in process of repair. The homeowner was not there we were told, but
a phone call brought her to us in a few minutes. Lo and behold, it was our lunch companion,
and a fellow United Methodist. What a
blessing we had as she shared her story of faith with us.

As things worked out, it was on the first day of that
mission trip that I got the word about my sister Marilyn’s death from
cancer. This personal calamity had not
been without warning, but as I traipsed through the rubble of flooded homes I
could not help but compare that devastation to the loss I felt, and to
devastating losses we all face from time to time—death of our loved ones, loss
of health or employment, broken relationships or conflict in church or
family. And like those survivors I
marvel at the strength available to us through our faith in God and the support
of the human community—even as the waters rage. Words can never express the
gratitude I feel for the comforting words, cards, prayers of support, and deeds
of compassion I have received during this time of sadness in the death of my
sister. Thank you all for your
understanding during those unscheduled mid-week family visits. Thanks especially to our capable lay servants
who graciously stepped up to lead worship when I needed the family time.

I pray that we may all know that power of love and faith
amidst our daily challenges. But even more, I pray
that we may all take up the challenge to share that source of comfort with all
who need assurance of God’s presence.

Pastor Lee Ann volunteers as a spiritual and emotional care worker. She recently joined a United Methodist Volunteers in Mission team to visit some of the hardest-hit communities in West Virginia affected by severe flooding.